2. Bundesliga preview: Eintracht Braunschweig vs. VfL Bochum

Two teams with contrasting starts to the new campaign will meet at the Eintracht-Stadion on Friday evening, with Eintracht Braunschweig looking to build on their blistering opening-day victory against a VfL Bochum side with plenty to prove.

To say Braunschweig were the big winners of matchday one would be an understatement. After a stressful season just gone which saw the club change coaches in an effort to secure survival, a result like last weekend’s will feel even sweeter from a Braunschweig perspective. Lars Kornetka’s philosophy and identity are beginning to take shape after his first full pre-season in charge, and that was evident in their emphatic victory.

Die Löwen stunned everyone by blowing Magdeburg away on their own turf last weekend. Aaron Opoku opened the scoring before a Jan Urbich double put Braunschweig three goals ahead before the half-hour mark. A red card for the hosts shortly afterwards inflicted further damage, but Kornetka’s men showed no signs of letting up. Mehmet Aydin, Samuele Di Benedetto and Florian Flick all got on the scoresheet to complete a stunning 6-1 victory.

Kornetka is ready for what Bochum might bring on Friday:

“Around them (Bochum), they have some good attacking players and have made some personnel changes in various positions. But that doesn’t mean they’ve changed their style of play. We know what to expect against them and we’ve prepared well for it.”

After Uwe Rösler steadied the ship last season and appeared to have Bochum back on the right track, it was only natural that the club would harbour promotion ambitions heading into the new campaign, particularly given the open nature of the race. However, matchday one did little to support those claims for the Ruhrpott side.

Rösler’s new-look Bochum side looked toothless at home as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to a Hertha BSC team surrounded by plenty of negativity heading into the season. Despite registering 13 shots, Bochum managed to test Marius Gersbeck just three times, with several promising opportunities going begging. Berkan Taz had the pick of the chances in the first half, but Sebastian Grønning’s goal before the break ultimately proved enough to secure all three points for Hertha.

Rösler echoed his opposing head coach’s confidence ahead of Friday’s encounter:

“We know what we are capable of, what we have been working on in recent weeks, and that we are fit. Therefore, I expect a balanced game in which we will ultimately come out on top. It will be a challenge, but we are well prepared.”

Bochum took maximum points from both meetings with Braunschweig last season, winning 2-0 away from home before securing a 4-1 victory in April. Die Löwen will therefore be looking to settle the score on Friday, although they have not tasted victory against Bochum since 2020.

Rösler has never lost against Braunschweig, winning two and drawing two of his four meetings with the club. He has faced Kornetka just once, with the Bochum boss coming out on top on that occasion.

Team news

Eintracht Braunschweig: Robin Heußer, Fredrik Jäkel, Sidi Sané and Sidney Raebiger are unavailable for the hosts.

VfL Bochum: Mikkel Rakneberg and Philipp Strompf are absent for Bochum.

Predicted lineups

Eintracht Braunschweig (4-2-3-1): Hoffmann; Aydin, Ehlers, Frenkert, Di Michele Sanchez; Di Benedetto, Flick; Opoku, Marie, Sturm; Urbich.

VfL Bochum (4-2-3-1): Horn; Olsen, Steinwender, Mets, Wittek; Cokaj, Pannewig; Miyoshi, Taz, Holtmann; Hofmann.